Seconds lose at Unicorns
Wed 15 Jul 2015
REPORT | By Pete Johnson
Leicestershire Second XI suffered a second consecutive Trophy defeat at Unicorns at Long Marston CC.
The game was played at the delightful ground of Long Marston CC which is tucked away in leafy countryside on the Hertfordshire/Buckinghamshire border.
An eerie silence and stillness, hangs over the ground, giving the impression that it could be 7am on a Sunday morning. A distant cockerel crowing incessantly in the distance reinforced this.
The travelling ‘army’ of discerning Leicestershire followers being a commendable six, comprising of Rosemary, Chris, Marilyn, and Mel, plus Marilyn’s sister and husband - stalwarts each and every one!
Unicorns won the toss and asked County to bat. Eben Kurtz and trialist Jalpesh Vijay opened the innings and did a great job.
After two balls had been bowled, the Umpires halted the game as their green shirts were attracting an abundance of flies.
The umpires left the field, and returned a few minutes later wearing coats rather than shirts, in an attempt to counteract the pesky persistent insects, which were sticking to their apparel like glue.
The Umpires were Messrs Ross and Blackwell, not surprising that they nearly got themselves in a pickle. There was a two-minute stoppage for rain after 3.3 overs and then a prolonged stoppage occurred at 11.52am after 11.5 overs with County on 42-0, Kurtz and Vijay 17 not out apiece.
An early lunch was taken and the umpires stated that play would resume at 2.48pm with the game reduced to 36 overs per side.
With play set to recommence at 2.48pm, I am sure the umpires must have a sideline in drawing up railway timetables. Kurtz and Vijay took the score to 97-0 from 20 overs and then disaster struck. Leicestershire lost all ten wickets in the space of 13.1 overs for the addition of 69 runs.
Kurtz (41) and Vijay (43) were the only batsmen to show any prolonged resistance, both going to catches in the deep. The only other batsmen to reach double figures were Tom Wells (14) and Zak Chappell, who hit a breezy 21 from 18 balls.
Chappell hit the only maximum of the match before being another batsman to perish in the deep, caught at wide long-on (sounds better than cow corner). County were dismissed for 166 from 33.1 overs.
The D-L was called into play to decide on Unicorns target, and they were tasked with getting 181 to win from 36 overs. They made light work of it despite an impressive opening spell from Liam Hurt, who had an extremely confident shout for lbw against Alex Mellor turned down.
Thomson (1) went early doors, bowled by Atif Sheikh. Mellor and Thomason then added 60 for the second wicket before Mellor 38 played on to Alex Wyatt. Thomason (48) and Tripathi (69* not out, his 50 including 6x4 from 51 balls) saw Unicorns home.
Unicorns finished on 181-2 from 30.3 overs and Leicestershire’s next game is against Warwickshire at Grace Road on Friday (11am start).
